Fans are invited to follow the advances that the Dominican Men’s Volleyball Team has accomplished in the past year during the 17th Pan American Men’s Volleyball Championship that is taking place at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center Volleyball Pavilion from 11 to 21 July 2024, as reported in Listin Diario.
The Dominican Volleyball Federation reports the Dominican men’s volleyball team has climbed significantly in the world rankings. In early 2022, the team was ranked in 72nd place in the world. This 2024, the team is now ranked 32nd, and rising. The team won silver during the past Central American and Caribbean Sports Games in El Salvador this 2024.
For years, volleyball in this country has been synonymous to the women’s team. The Reinas del Caribe is a system created by Cristobal Marte, the former Minister of Sports, that renews itself, with young girls being prepared to replace the veterans. The women have the incentive of getting lucrative jobs abroad playing volleyball. The Dominican senior women’s team, known as Las Reinas del Caribe, is competing in the Paris Olympics. The Dominican Volleyball Federation is hopeful the Dominican men’s team may continue rising in the rankings.
The Pan American tournament taking place in Santo Domingo is a qualifier for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. The DR team is going after a spot.
The president of the Dominican Volleyball Federation Alexis Garcia attributes the successes to the young age of the players, with an average of 24 years, and the strong support system behind the team. Garcia also credits head coach Alexander Gutierrez for guiding the team’s development and instilling a winning mentality.
Starting this staging, the World Championship is expanded to include 32 teams, increasing from 24 teams. The tournament will now be held biannually instead of quadrennially. The World Championship is to be played in The Philippines from 12 to 28 September 2025.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
Wikipedia
11 July 2024